If you’re shopping at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, check out the nominees for the 2026 DAME Design Awards. The awards have nominated 74 products from a record 153 entries representing 30 countries, the most shortlisted products in 23 years.
The nominees will be showcased at Metstrade in Amsterdam, Nov. 17-19, with winners announced during the show’s Official Opening on Nov. 17. Awards will be presented in eight categories, followed by the selection of the overall DAME Design Award winner. The jury may also present Special Mentions and an Environmental Design Award.
The 11-member international jury evaluated products across the marine equipment sector, with key trends including sustainability, electrification, automation, artificial intelligence, and connectivity. Jury Chair Andre Hoek said the quality and breadth of entries made selection challenging, with the standard required for nomination continuing to rise.
“Due to the high level of entries, the jury room occupied more space than ever before. It was filled with evidence of several strong industry priorities for smart product development, including sustainability, electrification, automation, AI, and the networking of all things,” Hoek said. “It was equally encouraging to see strong entries that had taken an item of equipment, accepted as a norm for many years, and turned it into something much better. The hunger to improve the design of everything we rely on to ultimately create brilliant experiences afloat is vital for the marine industry today.”
In a new initiative, all nominated companies have also been invited to free sustainability training hosted by the Marine Impact Lab on Nov. 16, which offers guidance on assessing and communicating the environmental value of their products.
To mark the awards’ 35th anniversary, Metstrade will also unveil a hall of fame honoring all 35 overall winners from 1991 to 2025. Entry fees for this year’s awards will be donated to the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM).
See the full list of nominees at damedesignawards.com.
